Social Development offers support for families

The ministry explained this support will be in the form of a prepaid card for the purchase of food up to the value of $400 and will offer families an easy, convenient and efficient way of helping to meet their nutrition requirements this holiday season.

Delivery of these cards began on Tuesday at locations identified by the 41 Members of Parliament in the House of Representatives. The ministry said it was pleased to provide this support to families in need at this time.

Asked how many MPs were taking advantage of this opportunity to help needy persons in their respective constituencies, ministry officials indicated that to date, “ officials of the respective MP Offices have been cooperating with the Ministry’s staff who have been assigned to the identified locations to deliver the cards to the vulnerable persons.” MPs on both sides of the political divide confirmed their awareness of this initiative and that they used it.

Health Minister and St Joseph MP Terrence Deyalsingh said, “Yes I have. I did it today. It went well.” Congress of the People (COP) St Augustine MP Prakash Ramadhar replied “yes” to being aware of the prepaid cards and seeking to have these cards provided to needy persons in his constituency. United National Congress (UNC) Couva North MP Ramona Ramdial also said she took advantage of this opportunity to help needy persons in her constituency over this Christmas season. “Yes I did,” Ramdial stated.